Intergroup Interactions with Dual Identity Outgroup Individuals

Previous studies have found that certain patterns emerge when people participate in intergroup interactions. However, fewer studies have yet explored the effects of interacting with an individual that has a dual identity, that is, someone who has characteristics of two separate and opposite identities. The present study explores intergroup interactions with a dual identity partner in the context o... read moref sexual orientation. Sixty-three straight male undergraduates at Tufts University interacted with a confederate who they believed to be another participant. The sexual orientation of the confederate was manipulated such that participants believed that he was straight, gay, or bisexual (the dual identity-bisexual). Differences in participants' self-reports of overall embarrassment between the straight and gay condition were found. read less